Books for Shred Girls from 5 to 105

With Shred Girls book 3 coming out in 1 week, I wanted to share a big list of some of my favorite books written for and by amazing shred girls (and women) IRL. There are tons of great reads out there, though, so don’t just stop with this list… and if you know of another book we’ve missed here, drop it in the comments!

If You Give a Girl a Bike

I’ve been reading If You Give a Girl a Bike by Hayley Diep to my three-year-old niece on repeat every time I see her and she LOVES it. Highly recommend for any young shredder! Get it here (and in Canada)

I Am A Triathlete

‘I am a Triathlete’ is a one of a kind children’s book from Nia Obotette that encourages kids and adults to explore the sport of triathlons. Triathletes and multisport fans will enjoy the colorful and unique illustrations. ‘I am a Triathlete’ celebrates the idea that anyone young or old, can make it to the finish line. Get it here (and in Canada)

Born to Ride: A Story About Bicycle Face

Louise Belinda Bellflower lives in Rochester, New York, in 1896. She spends her days playing with her brother, Joe. But Joe gets to ride a bicycle, and Louise Belinda doesn’t, writes author Larissa Theule. In fact, Joe issues a solemn warning: If girls ride bikes, their faces will get so scrunched up, eyes bulging from the effort of balancing, that they’ll get stuck that way FOREVER! Louise Belinda is appalled by this nonsense, so she strikes out to discover the truth about this so-called “bicycle face.” Set against the backdrop of the women’s suffrage movement, Born to Ride is the story of one girl’s courageous quest to prove that she can do everything the boys can do, while capturing the universal freedom and accomplishment children experience when riding a bike. Get it here (and in Canada)

Berenstain Bears and the In Crowd

Hear me out: This book was PIVOTAL in my cycling life, because it’s the one where Sister Bear realizes that she’s going to learn to ride a bike on her own schedule, in her own time, and won’t be pulled into ‘what’s cool.’ Get it here (and in Canada)

The Shred Girls Books!

Of course we had to mention these, including Jen’s Bumpy Ride (out 11/20)! You can get them all right here

The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle

Love this middle grade novel about a cross country ride with a girl named Bicycle by Christina Uss! Get it here (and in Canada)

For older Shred Girls

Revolutions: How Women Changed the World on Two Wheels

A history and celebration of women’s cycling by Hannah Ross—beginning with its origins as a political statement, beloved pastime, and early feminist act—that shares the stories of notable cyclists and groups around the world. Get it here (and in Canada)

Where There’s A Will: Hope, Grief and Endurance in a Cycle Race Across a Continent

I love this book by Emily Chappell. It’s a memoir of a brutally hard endurance race, but also about friendship, memories, coming to terms with grief, and SO many snacks. Get it here (and in Canada)

Saddle, Sore: Ride Comfortable, Ride Happy

Look, it may not be the most fun topic, but we all know what it’s like to be uncomfortable in the saddle. This book makes the conversation a little easier and offers a ton of doctor-approved tips for getting rid of numbness, chafing and discomfort down there. Get it here (and in Canada)

Stand: A memoir on activism. A manual for progress. What really happens when we stand on the front lines of change

This great memoir from pro cyclist and woman who helped bring about the women’s iteration of the Tour de France (read about that here!) is a fantastic read for an older shred girl who’s wondering how to find her Why, or who’s struggling with feeling like an outsider, or who’s trying to make a change. It’s a wonderfully written book that really gets honest about how to make a difference. Get it here (and in Canada)

Back in the Frame: Cycling, belonging and finding joy on a bike

Another wonderfully written memoir on cycling, I love this one from Jools Walker because it presents another side of cycling: Not racing, just riding for the joy it can bring. Jools shares her life from the lens of finding the bike again, but also the ups and downs that happen off the bike along the way. Get it here (and in Canada)

Saving Lucy: A girl, a bike, a street dog

The only thing better than a book about women and bikes is a book about dogs and women on bikes. Saving Lucy is the true and inspiring story of two creatures in need of healing and rescue—who find home in each other. Ishbel Rose Holmes was adrift and alone when she set out to bicycle across the world. She was pedaling across Turkey when a street dog, Lucy, crossed her path and changed her life forever. Get it here (and in Canada)